Peter's Calling and Commission

Conrad Hilario

Luke 5:1-11

Jesus calls Peter to follow him and become a ?fisher of men.? We should consider following Jesus like Peter because eternity exists, people's eternal lives depend on it, and it is exciting. Jesus banked his entire ministry on the twelve disciples, concentrating on the few while not neglecting the multitudes. He calls on us to follow his example and make discipleship our primary strategy to make an eternal impact.

Motivating Disciples to Become Faithful Evangelists

Catrina Bogart

Doug Patch

John 4:34

God's call to evangelism is universal to all believers in Christ. Therefore, it is important that we spend time and energy helping our disciples to become self-motivated, faithful evangelists. This first requires that we ourselves are modeling evangelism and its importance. We must also correctly define what a faithful evangelist is, separating our role from God's. Other key elements include prayer, sowing seeds abundantly, making nonbelievers more comfortable, and planning moves ahead of time.

Persuasion vs. Pressure

John Ross

Ephesians 4:15-16

In order to lovingly guide people toward a full and satisfying life for Christ, we must learn to persuade rather than pressure them. This can take on many forms but always puts God at the center and focuses on grace. There are many biblical techniques we can look to to learn to persuade people to experience the fullness of Christ.

Xenos Home Group Model

Patrice McCormac

John 17:21-23

The foundation of Xenos was the home group model, where the church first began. Still today, Xenos is a large church based upon a collection of home groups. This workshop explores the structure of home groups as well as some key features of these groups, including evangelism, discipleship, and community. Finally, this workshop provides an overview of leadership and home group planting.

Discipleship and Hospitality

Rich Mendola

Luke 7:34

Jesus knew the importance of utilizing meals to engage in meaningful relationships and conversation. Often in American culture, our lives can be too fast-paced to enjoy meals with not only our friends, but strangers. We are called, however, to slow down and offer hospitality to strangers, providing opportunities to share the gospel. Learn what this practically looks like and how we can set up times to practice this in our discipleship.

Taking Risks in Light of Heaven

Cathy Treyens

Matthew 14:22-33

Most of us are risk adverse in some areas of God's mission. Yet, confidence in eternity can change our perspectives on taking risks for the Kingdom. Taking risks always involves fear and growth. In order to have courage and obedience in midst of taking risks involves embracing truths that surround the risk. Trusting God feels risky but is perfectly safe. Having courage requires the need to fix our view on Jesus and the Gospel. Risk-taking is more about practicing saying yes to God rather than success versus failure mentality. God desires faithfulness.\r\n

Who is This Man?

Jim Leffel

Luke 9:18-27

Herod the Tetrarch seeks to know the identity of Jesus. Jesus asks his disciples, ?Who do you say that I am?? Peter acknowledges Jesus' mission and identity as the Messiah sent by God. Jesus reveals to the disciples that he will suffer terrible things, be put to death, and then be raised from the dead on the third day. Jesus describes how his followers must suffer: take up their cross daily, entrust their lives to him, and be unashamed of his message.

They Left Everything and Followed Him

Jim Leffel

Luke 5:1-32

Through cleansing a leper and healing a paralyzed man Jesus demonstrates that He has the authority to heal and forgive people, which is what He came to do. The method He chose for accomplishing His mission is discipleship, which is rooted in God's grace. We learn that discipleship involves becoming aware of our need to depend on God as we love other people.

Reaching Jr. High Students

Brian Runk

Brad DuFault

Mark 10:13-16

Brian Runk and Brad DuFault deliver a workshop focused on the importance of reaching junior high students for Christ. Many of the people we see being used by God in the Bible are young, and Jesus taught that children and youth should not be disregarded. Brian and Brad explain the format and strategies of their church's youth programs - including group and individual Bible studies. \r\n